4 Perfect Oils for Healthy Hair You Must Have

One of the ways to proper self-care is by maintaining healthy hair. The hard part of this proper self-care is to find the right oil or oil combination that will correct damages and an adequate amount of nutrients back into the hair strands and scalp. 4 perfect Oils on the market for healthy hair you must have are:

1. Coconut Oil
2. Olive Oil
3. Argon Oil
4. Castor Oil

You will notice each of the oil listed above are natural oils from the seeds of fruit or the fruit. This is a very important feature of natural oils and how they work on the hair.

Oils from seeds are nutrient-rich oils

Oils extracted from the seeds of fruits are much more nutrient-dense, compared to other types of oils. I am not sure why this is, but I want to safely assume it is from the highly nutritious content of the seed. The spongy layer of the seed provides nutrients for the seed during germination and growth until the roots are established to feed the new plants.

Characteristics of Perfect oils for Healthy Hair

Before using any product, research should be done to ensure it is as organic as possible and it is not harmful. So, I did some checking and Precision Nutrition provided 2 key characteristics you should look for in the perfect natural oils.

1. Natural oils should have the label "Virgin" or "Extra Virgin" or "Cold-compress"

To extract oil from fruits like olives or coconut require processes involving high temperatures and harsh chemicals. These processes will definitely change the chemical structure of the oil itself. And if the chemical structure of the oil changes then the oil is no longer natural and healthy.

Therefore, products labeled "virgin" or "extra-virgin" or "cold-compressed", basically mean the oil was extracted through processes that cause the least change as possible(1). Cold-press ensures the highest concentration of natural nutrient content possible, by minimizing the amount of heat the oil is exposed to during the extraction process(2).

For example, extracting coconut oil can include the process of boiling the cream from the grated coconut flesh. Or by allowing the oil to separate from the grated coconut by leaving it out in the sun for a few hours.

2. Natural Plant Oils should not be solid at room temperature

If you examine all the natural plant-based oils, none are solid at room temperature. The only oil that is solid at room temperature is animal fat. However, Cocoa and shea are the only exceptions, and coconut oil becomes solid at cold temperatures. This is due to the high saturated fat content.

3. Natural plant oils are alcohol soluble.

4. Natural oils are less dense than water.

How do you use these natural oils on damaged hair?

There are many ways to damage the hair. Damages to the hair include physical, chemical, nutrient deficiency, and infections. Therefore, identifying the problem will help you to use the right oil or combination of oils to help the problem. The good thing is most plant oils have similar chemical compositions and their uses and benefits will overlap. It is the unique nutrient that qualities a particular oil or group of oil as the best for a specific task.

It doesn't matter the problem at least on the oils listed above will help to correct and prevent this problem from reoccurring.

1. Coconut oil

Coconut oil and milk have hit the market as a miracle fruit, with benefits for the entire body. But the most well-known use of coconut oil is on the hair as a moisturizing oil. There are many other benefits like hair growth, aseptic, shine and so much more. Both the oil and the milk are obtained from the fleshy part of the coconut.

Coconut oil has a high content of lauric acid, a fatty acid. According to WebMD, lauric acid has the ability to seal moisture into strands which fixes problems like breakage and frizzing, especially if the hair is soaked in the oil. Thus, you can coconut oil is used in all hair products that fix breakage and frizz.

Other benefits of coconut on the hair include adding shine, adding nutrients, and mild antibacterial. If you are looking for a good homemade hair mask where the star ingredient for hair breakage is coconut oil, see below.

2. Olive Oil

This is another oil that is extracted from the flesh of the fruit, ie. olive. Olive oil is unique due to its high content of antioxidants and terpenic acid. The antioxidant workes wit keep the cells of the scalp in good functioning order by combating free radicals. And terpenic acid enhances blood flow through the vessels of the scalp. Peppermint oil high levels of this compound also.

Olive oil provides a range of benefits for the hair and scalp. But the 2 major benefits of using olive oil on the hair are improved blood circulation and healthy cells. This combination improves hair growth.

3. Argan Oil

This is the second oil extracted from the seed of the fruits. Argan is a Moroccan fruit where the seeds are dried and roasted for the oil. However, the oil from the argan fruit is rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants.

Antioxidants maintain healthy cells by removing and preventing free radical buildup. So why would you use Argan oil as an asset to any hair and for improving the health of the hair? Simple, It is high Vitamin E content.

Vitamin E works as an antioxidant. While removing free radicals and other harmful substances, vitamin E has a hand in hair growth and strengthening. According to Dr. Kim Nicholas, a dermatologist, vitamin E reduces stress on the scalp (3). And stress anywhere in the body hinders normal functions. Therefore, you can simply remove stress with vitamin E and watch the hair add on a few inches. Of course, this isn't the only problem that contributes to stunted hair growth.

Vitamin E also has the ability to maintain strong and healthy cell membranes. And if the cell membrane of the hair strands is healthy and strong then the hair strands will also be healthy. That means no more split ends and breakages.

4. Castor Oil

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the African and Asian plant Ricinus communis. It is widely used as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturizing agent for skin(4). Its most beneficial compound is the fatty acid Ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid has some anti-bacterial and hydrating properties which are extremely beneficial to the hair, skin, and even the digestive system.

Two very common causes of unhealthy hair are an unhealthy scalp and lack of moisture. Castor fixes both problems with just 1 compound Ricinoleic acid, which keeps the scalp clean from bacterial buildup and locks moisture into each hair strand.

How can you use all 4 Perfect oils for healthy hair?

Each hair oil has properties that makes them uniquely qualified to fix or correct a specific problem. After you have diagnosed the problem correctly then you can use the perfect oil to correct whatever is wrong. There are many ways to use these oils.

1. Hot oil treatment is a very popular way to use hair oils for correcting problems with the hair. The oils commonly used for hot oil hir treatment are, coconut oil, castor oil, and Tea Trees oils. 2 of my favorite hot oil products are Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil and HAIRepair Vital Oils Deep Moisture + Shine Hot Oil Treatment. You can make your own mixture, but remember to use oil that isn't changed significantly under heat.
2. Saturate the hair with the oil before wash day. This is 1 of the oldest oil treatment method to correct problems with the hair. The most common oil used this way is coconut oil. Coconut oil acts as a hydrating agent from root to end, especially when allowed to sit in the hair for a few hours with a little heat under a plastic hair cap.
3. Direct application on the scalp and hair. Applying oil to hair can contribute to excessive oiliness and heavy hair. What you can do is mix the oil with the blue magic coconut oil vaseline. Part the hair and apply just a little to the scalp, then rub and brush out the hair to spread the oil, repeat in 1 week. I found this is the most effective way to deal with a dry irritable scalp, stunted hair, and falling hair.

Let's Recap

4 Perfect oils for healthy hair you must know are Coconut oil, Olive oil, Argan oil, and castor oil. Qualities you should look for when choosing the perfect hair oil are;

1. How it is extracted - Cold-pressed or virgin oils are the best.
2. Oils are liquid at room temperature.
3. Oil is soluble in alcohol.
4. Oils should be less dense than water.

There are many ways to use hair oils to improve the quality of your hair.

1. Hot oil treatment is the most common.
2. Saturate the hair with oil for a few hours and
3. directly apply the oil with the scalp then massage and comb through to distribute the oil. Remember a little goes a long way with this method.

Sources:

1. Precision Nutrition - All About Plant Oils by Ryan Andrews, MS, MA, RD, RYT, CSCS.

2. Nefertiti - What is the definition of natural oils (plant oils)?. Last updated: January 22, 2020.

3. Prevention - How to Reap the Benefits of Vitamin E Oil for Your Hair, According to Dermatologists. Author: Destinee Scott. Last updated: March 30, 2021.

4. Medical News Today - Benefits of castor oil for the face and skin. Written by Aaron Kandola, Last Update: June 28, 2018